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Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide

This guide was created as an overview of the Linux Operating System, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter.
For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. This book contains many real life examples derived from the author's experience as a Linux system and network administrator, trainer and consultant. They hope these examples will help you to get a better understanding of the Linux system and that you feel encouraged to try out things on your own.

I'm installing Fedora 18 on an older byo computer. I'm moving up from FC 16 to 18. FC 16 working correctly. After first boot, user creation, and network setup, rebooting gets me to an unusable computer with a gray screen and not text at all to guide me as to what is where.

I interupted the boot process and got to a grub prompt. Typed in the command videoinfo and received the following feedback after a long list of various resolutions
EDID Version 1.2
Preferred mode: 1024X768
Adapter `VGA Video Driver:'
No info available.

I think the problem is related to the screen resolution the instance of the OS is trying to set at first start but I don't know for sure. Not sure how to proceed from here since I do not get any text on the screen in XWindows.

Not sure what video card is in the box. I will check and let you know.

I did not know I was in a 'console' at the logon prompt. The logon screen is gray with a light gray box about mid screen. The box is not fully formed, it is missing the 90 degree corners, all four of them.

I made some guesses based my my use of Gnome before and I think I got to a 'desktop' but when I tried F2, F3 or F4 nothing much happened. Mostly the video output changed to a large rectangle of dark gray with a black band across the top of the screen.

I have resolved the issue for the time being by doing a complete reinstall of the system but with the xfce desktop. That, at least has got me a working machine, althought I'm totally unfamiliar with the desktop so that is slowing me down.

Ok, to get to a console, press Ctrl+Alt+F2 (actually it can be any F key from F1 to F9, F7/F8 are usually for X, F2 is typically safe to assume there will be a text console). If it not truly a hard crash, you should see a text based console with login prompt. Log in there, and if you can, check the output of

Code:

lspci

for your video card (look for a line containing "VGA"), or paste it all here if you're not sure what to look for.